In between bigging up class A drugs and hating on rightwing nutjobs (not to mention dodging c-words from fellow popstars), it’s hard to see how Madonna could have the time or energy to throw her weight behind another populist cause.

But that’s precisely what she did yesterday. Whilst in Moscow to perform as part of her MDNA tour (which, to be honest, you’d be forgiven for thinking is just a globe-straddling string of PR cock-ups rather than a series of concerts), the professional bandwagoner took time to express her support for Pussy Riot, the Russian punk band currently on trial for “hooliganism” driven by “religious hatred”.

Update: It turns out Madonna didn’t stop with off-stage words of support. During her performance in Moscow last night, the singer stopped mid-set to give a speech on freedom of expression, calling for the members of Pussy Riot to be released [via NME]. Addressing the three women, she said “I pray for your freedom, I know we all pray for your freedom and lets hope that one day we really will live in a world filled with peace and freedom and tolerance.” She then concluded the speech by saying, “Enough about freedom, let’s sing about love”, before launching into a rendition of ‘Like A Virgin’ during which she wore a balaclava reminiscent of those worn by the women and stripped to her bra to reveal the words “Pussy Riot” stamped on her bare back. And who says the spirit of protest is dead?

Adding her voice to the chorus of support, celebrity and otherwise, being raised on behalf of the three women, Madge had previously described the women’s trial as “unfair” and their potential conviction as a “tragedy”. Her sentiment is, of course, entirely righteous – but at this point it’s hard not to question the motive behind it. You can decide for yourself by watching the full statement at The Guardian.

Yesterday in the Pussy Riot trial, Russian state prosecutor Alexei Nikiforov asked the Moscow court to impose three year sentences on the band members, claiming that “The actions of the accomplices clearly show religious hatred and enmity … Using swear words in a church is an abuse of God”, via The Telegraph.

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